As a student of Dede Reshati, Grandfather Edmond Brahimaj, not only completed the realization of these projects, the construction of the odeon in the Holy See, tekkes and shrines throughout the country and beyond, but also marked a number of other achievements in spreading the Bektashi faith, increasing the ranks of believers, delivering messages of unity, religious coexistence, peace and goodness. Today, on this day, the World Grandfather, His Grace Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, receives congratulations in the Holy See, from many believers, personalities, etc.… ”
Today marks nine years since the day when the cleric Dede Edmond Brahimaj was elected to the highest position of the Bektashi order, that of the Grandfather of the Bektashi World Community. This important day marks the beginning of His maximum commitment to further the projects launched by Dede Reshati. As a student of Dede Reshati, Grandfather Edmond Brahimaj, not only completed the realization of these projects, the construction of the odeon in the Holy See, tekkes and shrines throughout the country and beyond, but also marked a number of other achievements in spreading the Bektashi faith, increasing the ranks of believers, delivering messages of unity, religious coexistence, peace and goodness. Today, on this day, the World Grandfather, His Grace Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, from congratulations in the Holy See, from many believers, personalities etc…
Election of the World Leader of Bektashism
Dede Edmond Brahimaj was elected to the post of Bektashi World Leader after the death of Dede Reshat Bardhi, one of the well-known personalities of Bektashism in over 800 years of his existence, who, among other things, has the special merit of reviving the Bektashi faith and objects of this belief, after the political changes of 1990 in Albania. The decision that elected Dede Edmond Brahimaj President of the Bektashi World Community, is dated 11.06.2011. Among other things, this decision states: “Pursuant to Article 21 of the Statute of the Bektashi World Headquarters dated 26.07.2009 amended and approved by Court Decision No. 4760/1 dated 22.12.2009, the High Judicial Council, in cooperation with The Clerical Council, convened today on 11.06.2011 in the premises of the Bektashi World Headquarters, decided “1-The election of Haxhi Baba Edmond Brahimaj, in the position of President of the World Bektashi Community… ..”
World Leader of the Bektashis
Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, was born in Tirana, on May 19, 1959. He is originally from the village of Brataj in Vlora. He has completed higher military and legal education. On January 2, 1992, he began his life as a clergyman, with the blessing of his spiritual leader, Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi and Father Bajram Mahmutaj, thus finally joining the path of Haxhi Bektash Veliu. On May 16, 1996, he was consecrated by order of Dervish and immediately assigned to the Bektashi Dedelik of Turan, in Korça. On April 13, 1997 he was decreed with the title ‘Father’. In 1997, he was appointed Deputy World Leader of the Bektashis. On February 21,2006, he was appointed as the leader of Bektashism in Macedonia, based in Tetovo, while holding the post of World Bektashi Deputy Grandfather. On June 11, 2011, by Decision of the High Parental Council of the Bektashi World Headquarters, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj was elected to the high post of Bektashi World Grandfather. Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj is one of the clerics of the high Bektashi hierarchy who has made a special contribution to the rebuilding of the structures and infrastructure of Bektashism, in Albania and in the World.
Commitment to Bektashism
From 1992 onwards, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj has participated in various trainings of prestigious international organizations, doctrinal courses, symposia and various activities of religious, human, social character, where he also referred, leading to their voice and the experiences of Bektashi communities in the World. In 1996 he referred to Tehran regarding Bektashi tolerance in the Balkans. On June 14, 2003, at the International Conference “Religions and Civilizations in the New Millennium”, he spoke about the challenges of Bektashism in the future. In June 2004, as one of the representatives of the traditional Albanian religious communities, he visited the White House in the USA. He went to the US through the US Department of State and the US Embassy in Albania, to recognize religious diversity in the US. He had a special relationship with the Bektashi Dedelik in Detroit, USA, in the Father Rexhepi Tekke, an important center of Bektashism, which became the main center of Bektashism during the prohibition of religion in Albania and participated in various activities. in this Dedelik. Holds the title “Ambassador of Peace”. He has participated several times in the celebrations of August 16 in Haxhi Bektash, Turkey, where he was received by senior leaders of the Turkish state and the Haxhi Bektash Veliu Institute at Gazi University in Turkey. He was present and contributed with his lectures in various activities in Tirana, Skopje, Pristina, Ohrid, Istanbul, Ankara, Afiyon, Stuttgart, Cologne, etc. Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj has received many thankful mesages and high considerations from the governments of Albania, Macedonia, civil society, etc. The diplomatic corps accredited in Skopje has highly praised Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, as a clergyman with a significant contribution, especially in the fields of inter-religious coexistence and religious harmony, and as a promoter of Albania’s values as a model country in the world in these areas. .
Evaluations
For his contribution to Bektashism in the world, peace and harmony in Albania and beyond, His Grace, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, has been given many official acknowledgments and social organizations. Among them we can mention: “Ambassador of Peace” in 2004, “Honor of the Region of Korca” in 2004, “Honorary Citizen” of the Municipality of Zerqan-Bulqiza in June 2014, “Honorary Citizen” of the Municipality of Martanesh-Bulqiza in June 2014, “Honorary Citizen” of Bogovë-Skrapar Commune in August 2014, “Honorary Citizen” of Frashër-Përmet Commune, in May 2014, “Distinguished Personality of Labëria” in February 2015, “Honorary Citizen” of Fier Region in March 2015, “Honorary Citizen of Berat Region” in May 2015, “Honorary Citizen of Bulqiza”, the title ” Order of Skanderbeg” in September 2015, and in 2019 was honored by the Municipal Council of Memaliaj with the title “Citizen” Honor of Memaliaj ”.
Prepared by K. Borici
